a christian legal group is trying to overturn that law. the group filed a lawsuit on behalf of a psychiatrist who is also a pastor in san diego. it also names a plaintiff who has benefited from this therapy. the law takes effect january 1. >>> president obama and gop challenger mitt romney squaring off tonight in denver. it's the first of three presidential debates and as bigad shaban shows us, the focus tonight will be on the economy, healthcare and domestic issues. >> reporter: the stage is set for the first presidential debate. mitt romney trails in many battleground state polls and this is an opportunity for him to gain some ground. >> i think you're going to see the mitt romney that really cares about putting the american people back to work. i think that's the most important goal that the governor has. >> reporter: president obama will be pressing his own plan for the economy. but today he is facing new criticism over something he said in 2007. during a speech to a predominantly black audience, then senator obama implied the bush adm